Frameless Fastback Top Options

[MikekiM]

I am knee deep in the same decision process. I am soft top only on a DD. What I have now works fine.. Its an unbranded replacement top installed by the PO. When I got it, it was a floppy mess. Remedied that by stretching the two-bow a bit to tighten things up. But I really want the fastback/bikini/Sunrider option and want to eliminate the rear sail panels. Had a Trektop NX on both of my JKs and had no issues I couldn't live with, plus loved the versatility. Had to take the plastic stiffeners out of the window corners to get a decent fit and allow for easy storage.

• Does the Mastertop SkyMaster Frameless have hard plastic window stiffeners?
• How difficult is the slide channel on the side windows? The Trektop uses that config on the rear window and it seemed to hold up well.
• How difficult is it to fully remove the top deck to go topless? My experience with the JK Trektop you have to release the front latches and then undo the straps that were secured to the sound bar. You also had to contend with the center bow (remove and store someplace) then release the rear straps. Looks like the SkyMaster has a few steps as well... Undo the center clip in bow (or undo the long velcro center flap and leave the bow in place) and release the rear straps. I'll call it a wash. The upside of both is that you end up with a much smaller package to store in the trunk than in a bowed system.
• One downside of the Trektop was that with the Sunrider folded back the center of the top deck would sag at its' front fold and when moving that fold would flap wildly. Advantage goes to the SkyMaster with the full OE style velcro closing center flap that secures the top deck when the Sunrider is flipped back.

The fitment of any of the options is hit or miss. I am really turned off by the Bestop logo. I want an OE style windshield header attachment. Right now I am leaning towards the SkyMaster frameless. Bonus points go to the SkyMaster for having a black interior instead of the white of the Bestop...

 

[Kooper]

I have the Bestop NXT frameless top and it is really nice. Good fit, moderately quiet and heavy duty. Having said that, my TJ also came with a hard top only. If I had it to do over again, I would not go with the frameless design! It is a hassle to remove and reinstall it vs. just rolling an OEM framed top down. I bought the Jeep with the intention of being topless most of the time, but here in MN the weather changes so much and so often that putting it on and off (and I've gotten really good at it) is a pain in the ass. Also, since it is frameless, if you do have it off, and it storms, you're out of luck because you cannot simply roll the top back up as it is not on your Jeep. I know it is more expensive, but if I were to do it over again . . .

 

[RINC]

No problems with me Rampage top.